Belokin



DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A WEIGHT TO A FISHLINE Filed June 1. 1953 INVENTOR: PAUL B ELOKIN JR.

-ATT'YS United States Patent Paul Belokin, J12, Stickney, Ill., assignor to Modern Tackle Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 1, 1953, Serial No. 358,591

3 Claims. (Cl. 1-187) This invention relates to apparatus for attaching a weight or sinker to a fishline. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for holding a pliant weight, attaching it to a fishline While holding it in the device, and dispensing the attached weight from the device after it has been aflixed to the line.

An object of the invention is, to provide an apparatus for rapidly and easily attaching a pliant weight or sinker to a fishline.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which serves as a container for Weights and includes construction for clamping a weight to a fishline and for dispensing the clamped weight.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus of the class described for afiixing a pliant weight having opposing spaced portions on a fishline by clamping the portions together over the fishline positioned between them.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which will retain a weight until connected to a fishline and will then eject it.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which is easily operated manually, with one hand if desired.

A particular object is to provide a light, compact, economical, and disposable apparatus.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus for containing, connecting, and dispensing fishline weights or sinkers, which apparatus is easily carried and simply, rapidly, and effectively operated.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent on consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, in which like parts are identified by like reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, also showing a sinker which has been attached to a fishline by operation of the apparatus; I

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure I, laid open to reveal the interior;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and showing sinkers contained therein; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sinker constructed according to the invention. 4

In accordance with the invention, an apparatus is provided for attaching a pliant weight or sinker having opposing spaced portions to a fishline which includes a magazine adapted to hold the weight, and weight clamping means carried by the magazine. An additional feature of the invention includes means associated with the magazine for retaining the weight until clamped. In a preferred embodiment, a magazine is provided which is adapted to hold slidably a plurality of weights against rotation therein, means are provided for urging the weights toward one end of the magazine, the magazine is adapted to permit insertion of a fishline between the spaced portions of the weight nearest the referred to end, and the 2,736,026 Patented Feb. 28, 1956 "ice weight clamping means are operative on the weight nearest the end of the magazine.

By a pliant weight or sinker as referred to in the description is meant a weight capable of adaptation, that is, readily deformed into a shape which it retains. Such a weight when clamped to a fishline conforms to the shape of the line and frictionally engages it.

As illustrated particularly in Figure 4 of the drawing, the sinker 1 has a V-shaped profile and includes two rectangular slabs or arms 2 and 3 constructed of soft metal, such as lead, the slabs being integral at one end of each, and the opposite ends being spaced from each other. The sides or arms 2 and 3 are leaf-like and adapted to pivot about the integral portion to close like a book when pressure is applied thereto inwardly adjacent the open ends, thereby clamping a line inserted between them.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the apparatus includes a magazine or container 4 constructed generally in the form of a square prism having a rectangular longitudinal chamber 5 extending therethrough, the magazine being open at one end and closed at the other. The magazine 4, and particularly the chamber 5, is constructed to hold a plurality of fishline sinkers 1 against rotation while permitting the sinkers to slide longitudinally therein. The magazine is constructed of a suitable lightweight material, such as a metal or a plastic material. Advantageously, the magazine may be made of a transparent plastic material.

The magazine illustrated consists of two complementary channel-shaped sections 6 and 7 joined along the free longitudinal edges 8, 9, l0 and 11 of the flanges 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the sections. The inner side of the base or web of each section'is provided with a central longitudinal arcuate groove or recess to accommodate a coil com pression spring, the operation of which will be explained subsequently. The groove 16 in the web 17 of one section 7 extends for substantially the length of the section, terminating short of one, front end 17a of the web, to provide at that end a flat surface on the inner side of the web. The groove 18 in the web 19 of the remaining section 6 extends from one, rear end 20 of the web toa point intermediate the ends of the section, where it terminates at a rectangular strip or segment 21, one, rear most end ofwhich is integral at that point with the web, and the three remaining edges of which are severed from the web. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the web 19 of the latter section 6, which forms one side of the assembled magazine 4, is constructed of flexible material, so that the partly severed segment 21 is readily depressible. The material is preferably resilient in nature, so-that the segment returns to its original position after beingdepressed. Adjacent the free, forward end of the segment isan inwardly projecting tang 22 integral with the segment. The tang and the segment together form an inwardly depres'sible weight clamping member 23 which is normally in raised position above the chamber 5.

The channel-shaped section 6 provided with the weight clamping member 23 is also provided with an integral inwardly projecting catch 24, which projects fromthe web 19 at its forward end 25, the endnearer'the free end of the partly severed segment 21. The catch 24 extends inwardly far enough to engage the arm 2 nearer the clamping member 23 of the foremost sinker'in the resulting magazine, to retain the sinkers therein until clamped. At the same time, the catch 24 is spaced from the opposite side of the magazine 4 (the Opposing web 17 of the other section 7) sufficiently to permit removal or ejection of a clamped sinker 1 from the forward end of the magazine. Each of the flanges 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the sections 6 and 7 is rectangularly recessed at-the end corresponding to the catch 24, to provide two rec-- smas es the norrespnndingisides of the assembled magazine 4 and extending longitudinally from the forward extremity .of the latter.

The end of the magazine 4 opposite to that having the catch 24 is closed by :end plates 28 and 28a, which may be integral with the respective sections 6 and 7.. When assembled and loaded, the magazine .also contains aplurality of sinkers .1 being urged towards .the end provided with the catch '24, by a coil compression spring 29 which is seated in the grooves 16 and 18 'in the webs 17 and 19. The other end of the spring 29 bears on theend'plates 28 and 28a.

Variations from the preferred embodiment illustrated are permissible in .the construction of the new apparatus, for example, such components as the weight clamping means, the .catch or retaining means, and the means for urging the weights forward .in the magazine may be constructed and arranged in different fashion while still accomplishing the objects of the invention and falling within its scope.

The apparatus may be-supplied to the user assembled and loaded, as illustrated in Figure 3. In using the apparatus, a fishline 30 is inserted in the slots 26 and '27 in the magazine 4, the edges of the slots guiding the line to a position between the arms 2 and 3 of the sinker 1 nearest the forward end of the magazine. The weight clamping member 23 is then despressed so that it forces the adjacent arm 2 of'the sinker 1 in the direction of the opposite side or web 17 of'the magazine '4, and the sinker is clamped between the clamping member and'the oppo- Z site side. The aforementioned inner fiat surface on the web adjacent the front end 17a constitutes a bearing surface opposite the tang 22 for clamping the sinker securely between them. The clamping member is then released, and the spring 29, acting through the interposed weights 1, ejects the clamped sinker and the fishline 30, as illustrated in Figure 3, where a sinker is in the process of being ejected.

As the clamped sinker 1 leaves the magazine 4, the remaining sinkers 1 are moved forward by the spring 29 until the arm 2 of the foremost sinker nearer the clamping member 23 is engaged by the catch 24, which serves to retain the sinkers in the magazine until each is, in turn, clamped and ejected. The operation is repeated each time a sinker is attached to a line, until the sinkers have been exhausted, at which time, due to the economical nature of the apparatus, it can be discarded. 'If desired, the magazine can be used again. New sinkers may .be obtained or old ones reclaimed and inserted into the chamber '5 from the front end of the magazine, as previously described.

There is thus provided an apparatus accomplishing the objects of the invention which serves as a very advantageous part of a fishermans equipment. The apparatus eliminates troublesome operations with knife and pliers. The sinkers are protected from distortion prior 'to "use, and when 'the magazine is constructed of transparent material, the contents may be noted at any time. The fisherman may rapidly attach a sinker to a line by simply enclosing the line in the end slot while holding the magazine in one hand, depressing the weight clamping member, and releasing the member. These advantages are obtained at very little additional cost to the user.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. Apparatus for attaching a pliant rectangularly and V-shaped weight to a fishline comprising a generally square prismatic magazine adapted to hold slidably a plurality of said weights against rotation therein, a side of said magazine being constructed of fiexible material, resilient means for urging said Weights toward one end of said magazine, the sides of said magazine adjoining said first-named side being slotted at said end to guide a fishline between the arms of the weight nearest the end, a weight clamping member including a segment partly severed from said first-named side and operative on one arm of said weight nearest the end, said member being cooperative with the opposing magazine side .for clamping the said weight nearest the end therebetween, and a catch projecting inwardly from said end and adapted to engage the free end of said arm for retention of the weight until clamped and then to permit ejection of the weight.

2. A device for attaching to a fishline a Weight having a recessed portion therein and pliant sides and for dispensing said weight from a dispensing opening in said device comprising a magazine dispenser adapted to hold a plurality of said weights in alignment with the recessed portion of each weight facing said dispensing opening, a portion of said magazine adjacent said dispensing opening being adapted to attach said weight to a fishline and to permit the weight after attachment to said fishline to be dispensed through said opening from said magazine, said attaching and dispensing portion of said magazine adjacent said dispensing opening having a side constructed of resilient flexible material and being provided with opposed slots adapted to receive a fishline in a plane through said recesses in said weights, said flexible side of said magazine adjacent said dispensing opening being depressible in a direction normal to the position of a fish line inserted in said slots and adapted to clamp the foremost weight in said magazine on said fishline when said flexible side is depressed toward the opposing side of said magazine, and means adjacent said dispensing opening to retain the foremost weight in said magazine until said flexible side adjacent said dispensing openinghas been depressed toward the opposite side of said magazine and the weight secured to said fishline.

3. A-device for attaching to a fishline a weight having a recessed portion therein and pliant sides and for dispensing said weight from a dispensing opening in said device comprising a magazine dispenser adapted to hold a plurality of said weights in alignment with the recessed portion of each weight facing said dispensing opening, a portion of said magazine adjacent said dispensing opening being adapted to attach said weight to a fishline and to permit the weight after attachment to said fishline to be dispensed through said opening from said magazine, said attaching and dispensing portion of said magazine adjacent said dispensing opening having a side constructed of resilient flexible material and being provided with opposed slots adapted to receive a fishline in a plane through said recesses in said weights, said flexible side of said magazine adjacent said dispensing opening being depressible in a direction normal to the position of a fishline inserted in said slots and adapted to clamp the foremost weight 'in said magazine on said fishline when said flexible side is depressed toward the opposing side of said magazine, resilient means to urge said weights toward said attaching and dispensing opening of said magazine, and means adjacent said dispensing opening to retain the foremost weight in said magazine until said flexible side adjacent said dispensing opening has been depressed toward "the opposite side of said magazine and the weight secured to said fishline.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,188 Erickson Oct. 9, 1883 349,315 Nye Sept. 21, 1886 563,542 Allshouse July 7, 1896 822,694 Shepherd June 5, 1906 948,456 Le Witt Feb. 8, 19.10 2,096,173 Guerrini Oct. 19, 1937 2,194,748 Glaser et al Mar. 26, 1940 2,219,576 Moreland Oct. 29, 1940 2,237,589 Dole Apr. 8, 1941 2,296,574 Rodgers Sept. 22, 1942 2,495,385 Palmer Jan. 24, 1950 2,651,958 Deline se als, .1953 2,655,062 Meatte Oct. 13, 1953 

